Dynasties of ChinaWestern HanWestern Han lineage
Jianshi and others · Reign 33–7 BCE
He indulged in debauchery, doted on Sister Zhao Feiyan, and appointed his relative Wang as a political official, paving the way for Wang Mang to take over the Han Dynasty.
Liu Ao is the eldest son of Emperor Yuan. His mother is Wang Zhengjun. He was born in Jiaguan Painting Hall and was deeply loved by his grandfather Emperor Xuan. He was fond of reading scriptures when he was young, and he was tolerant and cautious. Later, he indulged in entertainment. Emperor Yuan once wanted to change the throne to Prince of Dingtao Liu Kang, but Lai Shidan succeeded to the throne. After ascending the throne in 33 BC, he appointed his uncle Wang Feng as the Grand Sima General to lead the affairs of the Secretariat. He also made five uncles marquis within one day. After that, Wang Feng, Wang Yin, Wang Shang, and Wang Gen successively served as the Grand Sima to assist the government.
He doted on the sisters Zhao Feiyan and Zhao Hede who were born in Kabuki. He deposed Empress Xu and made Zhao Feiyan his queen. He never had any heirs. In 8 BC, he made his nephew Prince of Dingtao Liu Xin the Crown Prince. In the same year, Wang Mang succeeded his uncle Wang Gen as the Grand Sima. During his reign, the Yellow River burst many times, making people's livelihood difficult; Liu Xiang was ordered to collate the palace books and pioneered the study of bibliography in China. He died suddenly in Weiyang Palace in March 7 BC.
When Emperor Cheng of the Han Dynasty came to the throne, the country was still said to be stable, but he indulged in drinking and sex, neglected political affairs, handed over power to his relative Wang, and because he favored the Zhao sisters, he had no heirs. During his reign, floods and droughts occurred frequently, refugees increased, and the crisis of Western Han's rule deepened day by day. Ban Gu said that he was "as dignified as a god" when he came to court, but he was "excellent in wine and sex, the Zhao family was in trouble, and his family was good at court", which laid the groundwork for Wang Mang to take over the Han Dynasty.
SocietyYellow River bursts
The Yellow River burst at Jindi in Dongjun, flooding four counties and 32 counties, submerging more than 150,000 hectares of land. Wang Yanshi, the messenger of the river embankment, blocked the breach with bamboo cages and stones. It was completed on the 36th day. Emperor Cheng changed the name to Heping for this purpose.
Science & technologysunspot record
According to "Hanshu Five Elements Chronicles", in March of the first year of Heping, "the sun rose yellow, and there was black air as big as money, located in the center of the sun." This is the most famous record about sunspots in Chinese historical records.
Lasting legacyThis record is often regarded as one of the world's earliest clearly dated sunspot records.
PoliticsFive princes in one day
Emperor Cheng granted his uncle Wang Tan the title of Ping'ahou, Wang Shang as the Chengdu Marquis, Wang Li as the Hongyang Marquis, Wang Gen as the Quyang Marquis, and Wang Fengshi as the Gaoping Marquis. The five of them were granted the title on the same day and were known as the "Five Marquises" in the world. Together with General Wang Feng, the Wang family is extremely powerful.
CultureLiu Xiang school book
Liu Xiang, the official of Guanglu, was ordered to study Confucian classics, scholars, and poems. Ren Hong was ordered to study military literature, Yin Xian was ordered to study mathematics, and Li Zhuguo was ordered to study military skills. Liu Xiang wrote a narrative after finishing each book and compiled it into "Bie Lu". His son Liu Xin later wrote the bibliographic work "Qilue" based on this.
Lasting legacyMost of the ancient books we see today such as "Warring States Period Policy", "Chu Songs" and "Shan Hai Jing" were handed down after being revised by Liu Xiang and Liu Xin's father and son.
PoliticsAfter abolishing the promise, Feiyan was established
After Empress Xu fell out of favor, her sister was accused of cursing the harem with her flattery. Empress Xu was implicated and was deposed in 18 BC. Emperor Cheng doted on Zhao Feiyan, despite the fact that the Queen Mother suspected that he was of humble origin. In 16 BC, he appointed Zhao Feiyan as the queen and his sister Zhao Hede as Zhaoyi. The sisters had been doting on him for more than ten years.
PoliticsLi Si and Wang Mang assisted the government
Emperor Cheng had no children. With the help of Futaihou, the grandmother of Prince of Dingtao, Liu Xin established Liu Xin as Crown Prince. In the same year, Grand Sima Wang Gen retired due to illness and recommended his nephew Wang Mang to succeed him. The 38-year-old Wang Mang began to take charge of the government.
PoliticsSudden Death Weiyang Palace
In March, Emperor Cheng was fine the night before, but suddenly became speechless while getting dressed the next morning, and died immediately. The government and the public blamed the favored Zhao Zhaoyi, and Zhao Hede committed suicide. Emperor was buried in Yanling.
Empress Emperor Yuan, mother of Emperor Cheng, and aunt of Wang Mang. Through the Yuan, Cheng, Ai, Ping dynasties and the new dynasty, she influenced the government affairs as the queen mother for a long time, which made the Wang family's relatives prosperous. When Wang Mang usurped the throne, he asked her for the imperial seal, and she threw it to the ground angrily. According to legend, the corner of the seal collapsed as a result.
Wang Zhengjun's brother, Emperor Cheng, took charge of the affairs of the Secretariat as the Great Sima General after he came to the throne. He had exclusive power for eleven years and excluded dissidents. The Wang family's children were all over the imperial court in important positions. On his deathbed, he recommended his younger brother Wang Yin to take over.
It was originally a kabuki performer in Princess Yang's family. It was named "Feiyan" because of its light body. When the Emperor was born, she was made the queen, and when the Emperor was born, she was honored as the empress dowager. After Emperor Ping came to the throne, he was demoted to a commoner by Wang Mang and committed suicide that day.
The daughter of Ban Kuang, the captain of Zuo Caoyue Cavalry School, and the aunt of Ban Gu. A virtuous and talented man, he once declined the Emperor Cheng's invitation to ride with his concubines on the grounds that virtuous kings in ancient times would not ride with their concubines. After Zhao Feiyan was favored, she invited herself to the Changxin Palace to serve the Queen Mother, and wrote "Self-Mourning Ode" to express her feelings.
The clan of the Han Dynasty repeatedly wrote against the arbitrary power of eunuchs and relatives. Following the imperial edict, he presided over the schooling of the palace's collection of books for more than 20 years. He wrote "Bie Lu", edited "Warring States Period Policy" and "Chu Ci", and wrote "New Preface", "Shuo Yuan" and "Biography of Lienu", etc., which conveyed the meaning of admonition.